13 Bean Soup Mix

Wash and sort for any foreign material from dry beans. Either soak the beans overnight (or for 8 hours) in water (3 cups of water for 1 cup of beans); or about 2½ hours before serving time, cover the beans with hot water and bring to a rapid boil. Boil for 15 minutes, remove from heat, cover and let beans stand for an hour. Gently boil for 45 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking. Add meat or vegetables, seasonings, and simmer for another 45 minutes to an hour.